Search

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are thought to be a new generation of secondary batteries that will replace lithium‐ion batteries due to their great safety and inexpensive cost. In the cathode materials of aqueous zinc ion batteries with long life and high capacity, abundant active sites and crystal structure stability play an important role. In the present work, the strategy of Na+ intercalation of Fe2VO4 (FVO) is proposed, aiming at the insertion of Na+, which not only enriches the active sites, but also sodium and iron ions act as guest species with the negatively charged VOx lattice to provide strong electrostatic attraction to stabilize the lamellar structure. In terms of electrochemical performance, the discharge specific capacity is 370 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1, and when the current density is arising 5 A g−1, the specific capacity also reaches 200 mAh g−1 after cycling 2000 with a capacity retention of 99 %, which is better than the electrochemical performance of Fe2VO4 (FVO) alone at 50 mAh g−1. The superior electrochemical performance proves that FVO−Na is an ideal cathode material for zinc ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical Performance of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs) is prominently constrained by poor stability of zinc‐metal anodes. However, the use of conventional aqueous separators unfavorable to the uniform deposition of Zn metal and restricted cell cycle life, has hindered the large‐scale application of such battery systems. Here, a separator with hydrophobic/hydrophilic structural domains (marked as PP‐g‐AA) is reported, where the polypropylene (PP) polymer backbone permits partial blockage of water molecules and prevent side reactions, and the carboxyl functional groups in the grafted acrylic acid (AA) facilitate to well regulate the interfacial electric field and Zn2+ ion concentration field, thus remarkably promotes homogenization of zinc ion flux, achieving dendritic‐free deposition of Zn2+. Moreover, the PP‐g‐AA separator sustains a long‐term cycling over 4000 h at a current density of 2 mA cm−2 with a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% achieved in Zn||Cu cells, which if assembled into Zn||Zn0.27V2O5·nH2O (ZVO) cells would yield ≈100% retention for 1000 cycles. This research highlights that the strategy opens up a new avenue based on PP‐g‐AA for further decreasing the cost and promoting the industrial application of AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic competition is a zero‐sum game between bacterial biofilms and host immune responses on the surface of medical implants. In an in vitro biofilm‐macrophages co‐culture system, it is found that suppressed lipid metabolic processes in host macrophages in the biofilm microenvironment correlates with immune tolerance and intracellular persistence. Reactivation of immune cells against bacterial infection by reprogramming lipid metabolism through the supply of lipids such as oleic acid (OA) is a promising strategy, but this cannot completely destroy the bacterial biofilms. Nanomaterial‐based zinc ion interference therapy in antibacterial field emerges relying on the outstanding benefits of nanomaterials. Therefore, a targeted nano‐fat HSA‐IR820@OA@ZIF‐8 (HIROZ) with near infrared‐II (NIR‐II) photothermal capacities is developed for the destrcution of the biofilms via zinc ion combined photothermal therapy. The improved cellular compatibility and enhanced intracellular uptake make HIROZ induce intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) formation in macrophages. Photothermal combined zinc ion‐induced metabolic interference augments the antimicrobial effect of LDs and activates lipometabolic reprogramming‐mediated antibacterial immune responses via mitochondrial stress. In the mouse wound biofilm infections model and subcutaneous implant‐associated biofilm infections (IABIs) model, HIROZ demonstrates sustained and thorough biofilm scavenging based on reprogramming of lipid metabolism, providing a new idea for metabolic interference‐centered therapeutic strategies for full‐scale IABIs eliminations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The porous structure is critical for carbonaceous electrode‐based zinc‐ion capacitors (ZICs) to achieve excellent electrochemical performance, but the corresponding porous structure‐electrochemical performance relationship is yet to be fully understand. Herein, three types of N‐doped carbons with different porous structures are developed to investigate the relationship between the pore size distribution and the electrochemical performance of the devices. The optimized porous carbon (LVCR) exhibits large electrochemical surface area, plentiful oxygen functional groups, and hierarchical porous structure that facilitates electron transfer and ion diffusion. Consequently, the LVCR‐based ZIC exhibits a remarkable peak power density of 31.4 kW kg−1 and an impressive specific energy density of 126.6 Wh kg−1. Moreover, it demonstrates exceptional longevity, retaining the capacitance of 97.7% even after undergoing 50 000 cycles. Systematic characterization demonstrates that the macroporous and mesoporous structures determine the different stages of Zn2+ storage kinetics. The excellent Zn2+ storage and electrochemical performance of LVCR are attributed to the fast ion transport channels provided by the hierarchical porous structure and facilitated reversible chemisorption and desorption. This work not only deepens the understanding of charge storage mechanism, but also provides guidelines for rationally designing carbonaceous materials toward high‐performance ZICs in the view of porous structure‐electrochemical performance relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slow transport dynamics and poor dendritic growth significantly hinder the performance of zinc metal batteries. Here, a unique difunctional ion rectification strategy is developed using vacuum evaporation technology to design a coated separator for efficient ion transport. The highly conductive Cu‐coated separator acts as an ion redistributor, ensuring homogenized electric field distribution. The excellent znophilicity of the copper coating acts as an ion accelerator, promoting ion transport and facilitating face‐to‐face zinc deposition on the separator. Consequently, this synergy enables stable battery operation at high current densities (cumulative capacity up to 10 800 mAh cm−2 at 8 mA cm−2) and high depth of discharge (over 200 h at 94% DOD). The Cu‐coated separator exhibits a reversible plating/stripping life of over 2400 h with an average coulombic efficiency of 99.88%. Notably, the Cu‐coated separator significantly enhances the rate performance and cycle capacity of Zn||V6O13 and Zn||MnO2 full cells. This functional separator with a difunctional ion rectification strategy presents a promising solution to the challenge of zinc metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cathode materials are usually the key to determining battery capacity, suitable cathode materials are an important prerequisite to meet the needs of large‐scale energy storage systems in the future. Polyanionic compounds have significant advantages in metal ion storage, such as high operating voltage, excellent structural stability, safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness, and can be excellent cathode options for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries. Although some polyanionic compounds have been commercialized, there are still some shortcomings in electronic conductivity, reversible specific capacity, and rate performance, which obviously limits the development of polyanionic compound cathodes in large‐scale energy storage systems. Up to now, many strategies including structural design, ion doping, surface coating, and electrolyte optimization have been explored to improve the above defects. Based on the above contents, this paper briefly reviews the research progress and optimization strategies of typical polyanionic compound cathodes in the fields of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and other promising metal ion batteries (sodium ion batteries (SIBs), potassium ion batteries (PIBs), magnesium ion batteries (MIBs), calcium ion batteries (CIBs), zinc ion batteries (ZIBs), aluminum ion batteries (AIBs), etc.), aiming to provide a valuable reference for accelerating the commercial application of polyanionic compound cathodes in rechargeable battery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel bionic periosteum (BP)‐bioactive glass fiber membrane (BGFM) is designed. The introduction of magnesium ion (Mg2+) and zinc ion (Zn2+) change the phase separation during the electrospinning (ES) jet stretching process. The fiber's pore structure transitions from connected to closed pores, resulting in a decrease in the rapid release of metal ions while also improving degradation via reducing filling quality. Additionally, the introduction of magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) lead to the formation of negative charged tetrahedral units (MgO42− and ZnO42−) in the glass network. These units effectively trap positive charged metal ions, further inhibiting ion release. In vitro experiments reveal that the deigned bionic periosteum regulates the polarization of macrophages toward M2 type, thereby establishing a conducive immune environment for osteogenic differentiation. Bioinformatics analysis indicate that BP enhanced bone repair via the JAK‐STAT signaling pathway. The slow release of metal ions from the bionic periosteum can directly enhance osteogenic differentiation and vascularization, thereby accelerating bone regeneration. Finally, the bionic periosteum exhibits remarkable capabilities in angiogenesis and osteogenesis, demonstrating its potential for bone repair in a rat calvarial defect model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogel electrolytes (HEs) hold great promise in tackling severe issues emerging in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries, but the prevalent salting‐out effect of kosmotropic salt causes low ionic conductivity and electrochemical instability. Herein, a subtle molecular bridging strategy is proposed to enhance the compatibility between PVA and ZnSO4 from the perspective of hydrogen‐bonding microenvironment re‐construction. By introducing urea containing both an H‐bond acceptor and donor, the broken H‐bonds between PVA and H2O, initiated by the SO42−‐driven H2O polarization, could be re‐united via intense intermolecular hydrogen bonds, thus leading to greatly increased carrying capacity of ZnSO4. The urea‐modified PVA‐ZnSO4 HEs featuring a high ionic conductivity up to 31.2 mS cm−1 successfully solves the sluggish ionic transport dilemma at the solid‐solid interface. Moreover, an organic solid‐electrolyte‐interphase can be derived from the in situ electro‐polymerization of urea to prohibit H2O‐involved side reactions, thereby prominently improving the reversibility of Zn chemistry. Consequently, Zn anodes witness an impressive lifespan extension from 50 h to 2200 h at 0.1 mA cm−2 while the Zn‐I2 full battery maintains a remarkable Coulombic efficiency (>99.7 %) even after 8000 cycles. The anti‐salting‐out strategy proposed in this work provides an insightful concept for addressing the phase separation issue of functional HEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible and high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs), coupled with low cost and safe, are considered as one of the most promising energy storage candidates for wearable electronics. Hydrogel electrolytes present a compelling alternative to liquid electrolytes due to their remarkable flexibility and clear advantages in mitigating parasitic side reactions. However, hydrogel electrolytes suffer from poor mechanical properties and interfacial chemistry, which limits them to suppressed performance levels in flexible ZIBs, especially under harsh mechanical strains. Herein, a bio‐inspired multifunctional hydrogel electrolyte network (polyacrylamide (PAM)/trehalose) with improved mechanical and adhesive properties was developed via a simple trehalose network‐repairing strategy to stabilize the interfacial chemistry for dendrite‐free and long‐life flexible ZIBs. As a result, the trehalose‐modified PAM hydrogel exhibits a superior strength and stretchability up to 100 kPa and 5338 %, respectively, as well as strong adhesive properties to various substrates. Also, the PAM/trehalose hydrogel electrolyte provides superior anti‐corrosion capability for Zn anode and regulates Zn nucleation/growth, resulting in achieving a high Coulombic efficiency of 98.8 %, and long‐term stability over 2400 h. Importantly, the flexible Zn//MnO2 pouch cell exhibits excellent cycling performance under different bending conditions, which offers a great potential in flexible energy‐related applications and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered one of the most prospective new‐generation electrochemical energy storage devices with the advantages of high specific capacity, good safety, and high economic efficiency. Nevertheless, the enduring problems of low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and inadequate cycling stability of zinc anodes, originating from dendrites, hydrogen precipitation and passivation, are closely tied to their thermodynamic instability in aqueous electrolytes, which significantly shortens the cycle life of the battery. Electrolyte additives can solve the above difficulties and are important for the advancement of affordable and reliable AZIBs. Organic electrolyte additives have attracted widespread attention due to their unique properties, however, there is a lack of systematic discussion on the performance and mechanism of action of organic electrolyte additives. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the application of organic electrolyte additives in AZIBs is presented. The role of organic electrolyte additives in stabilizing zinc anodes is described and evaluated. Finally, further potential directions and prospects for improving and directing organic electrolyte additives for AZIBs are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) with metallic Zn anode have the potential for large‐scale energy storage application due to their cost‐effectiveness, safety, environmental‐friendliness, and ease of preparation. However, the concerns regarding dendrite growth and side reactions on Zn anode surface hamper the commercialization of AZIBs. This review aims to give a comprehensive evaluation of the protective interphase construction and provide guidance to further improve the electrochemical performance of AZIBs. The failure behaviors of the Zn metal anode including dendrite growth, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution are analyzed. Then, the applications and mechanisms of the constructed interphases are introduced, which are classified by the material species. The fabrication methods of the artificial interfaces are summarized and evaluated, including the in‐situ strategy and ex‐situ strategy. Finally, the characterization means are discussed to give a full view for the study of Zn anode protection. Based on the analysis of this review, a stable and high‐performance Zn anode could be designed by carefully choosing applied material, corresponding protective mechanism, and appropriate construction technique. Additionally, this review for Zn anode modification and construction techniques for anode protection in AZIBs may be helpful in other aqueous metal batteries with similar problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid biopolymer electrolytes for zinc primary battery based on cellulose acetate (CA) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) have been prepared by solution casting technique with Dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent. X-ray diffraction analysis provides that biopolymer membrane 40 wt% of CA:60 wt% of ZnCl2 shows very high amorphous nature. Complex formation between biopolymer CA with ZnCl2 has been confirmed by FTIR measurements. Biopolymer membrane 40 wt% of CA:60 wt% of ZnCl2 shows a high zinc ionic conductivity of 3.04 × 10–3 S/cm calculated from impedance measurements. Wagner's Polarization measurements indicates that charge carriers are ions and the highest zinc ionic conductivity membrane has got low glass transition temperature 35 °C determined by DSC studies. The electrochemical stability of the highest zinc ion conductivity membrane is found to be 2.15 V by LSV technique. The cyclic stability of the prepared membrane has been determined by cyclic voltammetry analysis. Transport parameters such as Diffusion constant (D), mobility (μ) and relaxation time (τ) have been calculated for the biopolymer electrolytes. A primary zinc ion battery has been constructed using zinc plate as anode, highest zinc ion conducting membrane as an electrolyte and MnO2 as cathode shows an open-circuit voltage 1.55 V. The performance of the battery has been studied with various loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue analogues are highly promising electrode materials due to their versatile electrochemical activity and low cost. However, they often suffer from severe structural damage caused by the Jahn–Teller distortion and dissolution of high‐spin outer metal ions, resulting in poor cycle life. Material modification and electrolyte regulation have been the common approaches to address this issue, albeit with very limited success. We report here a novel and efficient strategy to preserve structural stability by co‐inserting Co2+ and Zn2+ ions in KCo[Fe(CN)6]. This co‐insertion induced a spontaneous and reversible phase conversion by the replacement of low‐spin inner ion (Fe3+), which efficiently relieves structural damage caused by Jahn–Teller distortion and metal‐ion dissolution, leading to an outstanding Zn2+ storage capacity and an exceptional improvement of cycle life with a capacity retention of 97.7 % over 4400 cycles at 40 C. We also demonstrated the enhancement of co‐intercalation on ion migration using a combined approach of experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This work provides an important progress to solve the cycle stability of Prussian blue analogues towards their practical application as electrode materials for aqueous batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the inhibition effects of Zn2+ and Cd2+ on the luciferin–luciferase reaction, we performed quantitative measurements of quantum yields and spectral shapes for in vitro firefly bioluminescence in aqueous solutions containing ZnSO4, ZnCl2, CdSO4, and CdCl2 at different concentrations. Particular care was taken toward the equilibrium between metal ions and enzyme proteins, anion difference, solubility, and uncertainty evaluation. The bioluminescence quantum yields decreased almost linearly to the concentration of Zn2+ and Cd2+ below 0.25 mM. No obvious difference was found between the chloride and sulfate anion solutions. We defined inhibition sensitivity as the decrease in relative quantum yield versus the concentration of metal ions, and they were determined to be 1.48 ± 0.13 and 1.13 ± 0.16/mM for Zn2+ and Cd2+, respectively. We estimated the detection limit of inhibition effects as the concentration of metal ions that decrease relative quantum yields by 10%, which were 0.07 mM (4 ppm) and 0.09 mM (10 ppm) for Zn2+ and Cd2+, respectively. The shape of the bioluminescence spectra changed sensitively with the increase in Zn2+ concentrations. The bioluminescence peak energy for 0.10‐mM Zn2+ was ~2.2 eV, while that for 0.25‐mM Zn2+ was ~2.0 eV. The shape of the spectra changed less sensitively with the increase in Cd2+concentrations, and the peak energy was at ~2.2 eV for Cd2+ concentrations of 0.10 and 0.25 mM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving light-induced manipulation of controlled self-assembly in nanosized structures is essential for developing artificially dynamic smart materials. Herein, we demonstrate an approach using a non-photoresponsive hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) macrocycle to control the self-assembly and disassembly of nanostructures in response to light. The present system comprises a photoacid (merocyanine, 1-MEH), a pseudorotaxane formed by two H-bonded macrocycles, dipyridinyl acetylene, and zinc ions. The operation of such a system is examined according to the alternation of self-assembly through proton transfer, which is mediated by the photoacid upon exposure to visible light. The host–guest complexation between the macrocycle and bipyridium guests was investigated by NMR spectroscopy, and one of the guests with the highest affinity for the ring was selected for use as one of the components of the system, which forms the host–guest complex with the ring in a 2:1 stoichiometry. In solution, a dipyridine and the ring, having no interaction with each other, rapidly form a complex in the presence of 1-MEH when exposed to light and thermally relax back to the free ring without entrapped guests after 4 h. Furthermore, the addition of zinc ions to the solution above leads to the formation of a polypseudorotaxane with its morphology responsive to photoirradiation. This work exemplifies the light-controlled alteration of self-assembly in non-photoresponsive systems based on interactions between the guest and the H-bonded macrocycle in the presence of a photoacid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a L -cysteine-functionalized carbon-coated magnetic nanocomposite (CoFe2O4/C@Cys) was effectively synthesized and employed as an adsorbent in effervescent tablet-assisted dispersive solid-phase microextraction (ET-DSPM) for enrichment of heavy metals (Fe(III) and Zn(II)). The as-prepared composites were extensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The influence of various factors on the extraction efficiency of heavy metals was methodically examined in this study. After quickly transferring the effervescence tablet into the aqueous sample, the effervescent agent (sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium carbonate) simultaneously reacted and produced carbon dioxide (CO2). The in situ produced CO2 facilitated the dispersion of nanoparticles in the aqueous sample and significantly enhanced the extraction efficiency. Under the optimal parameters, the results showed that the CoFe2O4/C@Cys-ET-DSPM method displayed superior analytical performance for quantification of two heavy metals in milk samples with a preconcentration factor of 20, limits of detection (LODs) of 0.10–0.12 μg kg−1, recoveries of 77.1–101.7% and RSDs of 1.1–7.0%, respectively. The one-step extraction approach combined with an atomic absorption spectrometer exhibits promising potential for application in field analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are the most promising batteries in the field of energy storage due to their advantages of good safety, high specific capacity and environmental friendliness. However, the practical application is hindered by the poor electrochemical kinetic period. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their porous structure and abundant active sites, have gained wide attention in the field of preparing nanomaterials and are expected to solve the problem of AZIBs. This paper describes the research progress of MOF-derived cathode and anode materials in AZIBs and proposes future research directions and application prospects, providing guidance for the rational design of AZIB materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work vividly demonstrates the rational design of VSe 2-x O x -SS cathode as an effective strategy to achieve fast and highly aqueous zinc ion storage. [Display omitted] • A simple and fast surface oxygen implantation strategy was designed to adjust the electronic structure of VSe 2 and form a surface protective film. • The VSe 2-x O x -SS-30 electrode showed higher specific capacity, better rate performance and more satisfactory cycling stability. • The zinc (de)intercalation and transformation reactions mechanism was revealed by some ex-situ/in-situ techniques. Interfacial chemical modification is an effective strategy to adjust the strong Coulombic ion-lattice interactions with high valence cations experienced by electrode materials, facilitating the reaction kinetic. In this paper, a simple and fast surface oxygen implantation strategy was designed to adjust the electronic structure of stainless steel (SS) supported vanadium diselenide (VSe 2) nanosheets and form a surface protective film, which effectively accelerates the reaction kinetics of Zn2+ and extends the cycle life of the battery. It is demonstrated that the conductivity, pseudocapacitance and specific capacity can be tuned by selectively introducing oxygen species to the surface, which provides an important reference for the design of electrodes with controlled surface chemistry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations also confirm that the electronic structure can be adjusted by surface oxygen injection strategy, which not only improves the conductivity, but also adjusts the adsorption energy, thus providing favorable conditions for zinc ion storage. Benefiting from the selenium vacancies and pores generated by the removal of part of selenium, and the oxide film formed on the surfaces, the VSe 2-x O x -SS-30 electrode showed higher specific capacity (188.4 mAh/g at 0.5 A g−1 after 50 cycles), better rate performance (107.1 mAh/g at 4 A g−1) and more satisfactory cycling stability (83.1 mAh/g at 5 A g−1 after 1800 cycles) than VSe 2 -SS electrode. Importantly, the flexible quasi-solid-state VSe 2-x O x -SS-30//Zn battery also exhibits high specific capacity and excellent environmental adaptability. Furthermore, the zinc (de)intercalation and transformation reactions mechanism was revealed by some ex-situ/in-situ techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intratumor microbiota results in the immunosuppressive microenvironment and facilitates tumor growth and metastasis. However, developing a synergistic therapy with antitumor, antibacterial, and antimetastatic effects faces enormous challenges. Here, we propose an innovative metal chelation therapy to effectively eliminate tumor and intratumor bacteria and suppress tumor metastasis. Different from traditional chelation therapy that only consumes metal elements, this therapy not only eliminates the crucial metal elements for tumor metabolism but also releases new metal ions with antitumor and antibacterial properties. Based on the high demand for copper in breast cancer, we prepare a fibrous therapeutic nanoagent (Zn‐PEN) by chelating the copper chelator D‐Penicillamine (D‐PEN) with Zn2+. Firstly, Zn‐PEN achieves dual inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis metabolism in breast cancer through copper depletion and Zn2+ activated cGAS‐STING pathway, thus inducing tumor cell death. Secondly, Zn‐PEN has the capability to eradicate Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) in breast cancer, thereby mitigating its immunosuppressive impact on the tumor microenvironment. Finally, Zn‐PEN effectively inhibits tumor metastasis through multiple routes, including the inhibition of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, activation of cGAS‐STING pathway, and elimination with F. nucleatum. Therefore, we verify the feasibility of Zn‐PEN mediated metal chelation therapy in a 4T1 model infected with F. nucleatum, providing a new therapeutic strategy for inhibiting tumor metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic side reactions and dendrite growth on zinc anodes are formidable issues causing limited lifetime of aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). Herein, a spontaneous cascade optimization strategy is first proposed to regulate Zn2+ migration‐diffusion behavior. Specifically, PAPE@Zn layer with separation‐reconstruction properties is constructed in situ on Zn anode. In this layer, well‐soluble poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) can spontaneously separation to bulk electrolyte and weaken the preferential coordination between H2O and Zn2+ to achieve primary optimization. Meanwhile, poor‐soluble polymerized‐4‐acryloylmorpholine (PACMO) is reconstructed on Zn anode as hydrophobic flower‐like arrays with abundant zincophilic sites, further guiding the de‐solvation and homogeneous diffusion of Zn2+ to achieve the secondary optimization. Cascade optimization effectively regulates Zn2+ migration‐diffusion behavior, dendrite growth and side reactions of Zn anode are negligible, and the stability is significantly improved. Consequently, symmetrical cells exhibit stability over 4000 h (1 mA cm−2). PAPE@Zn//NH4+−V2O5 full cells with a high current density of 15 A g−1 maintains 72.2 % capacity retention for 12000 cycles. Even better, the full cell demonstrates excellent performance of cumulative capacity of 2.33 Ah cm−2 at ultra‐low negative/positive (N/P) ratio of 0.6 and a high mass‐loading (~17 mg cm−2). The spontaneous cascade optimization strategy provides novel path to achieve high‐performance and practical ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are commonly used in both commercial and agricultural sectors. As a result, ZnO-NPs are extensively discharged into soil ecosystems, creating a significant environmental issue. Therefore, it is crucial to assess their influence on the soil ecology to ensure its secure and enduring utilization in the future. The exact degree of toxicity associated with ZnO-NPs and their ionic form is still uncertain. To address the challenges, the study used the soil bioindicator earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae as an experimental model to evaluate the effects of two zinc species (ZnO-NPs and ZnCl2) at 100, 250, 500, and 750 mg kg−1 and control (0 mg kg−1) in garden soil over 28 days. The investigation also examined the impact of exposure on survival, reproduction, neuro-biomarker, avoidance behavior, and accumulation. The highest avoidance rates were 27.5% for ZnO-NP and 37.5% for ZnCl2 at 750 mg kg−1. ZnCl2 treatment reduced juvenile production by 3.73 ± 1.73, while ZnO-NPs showed 4.67 ± 1.15. At 750 mg kg−1, soils with ZnCl2 (63.3%) demonstrated lower survival rates than those with ZnO-NPs (53.3%), likely because of higher Zn ion levels. After 28 days of exposure, ZnCl2 (536.32 ± 11 mol min−1) activated AChE enzymes more than ZnO-NPs (497.7 ± 59 mol min−1) at the same dose, compared to control (145.88 ± 28 to 149.41 ± 23 mol min−1). Nanoparticles and zinc ions bioaccumulated and reacted negatively with the neurotoxic marker AChE, affecting earthworm reproduction and behavior. However, earthworms exposed to ZnCl2 exhibited less intestinal Zn than those exposed to NPs. The present work contradicts the finding that ZnO-NPs have hazardous effects on soil organisms. The results indicate that earthworm E. eugeniae may significantly affect soil metal uptake from metallic nanoparticles (NPs). This may help design NP soil pollution mitigation strategies. The study offers valuable information for establishing a relationship between the environmental toxicity of ZnO-NPs and soil ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered vanadium‐based oxides have emerged as highly promising candidates for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their open‐framework layer structure and high theoretical capacity among the diverse cathode materials investigated. However, the susceptibility to structural collapse during charge‐discharge cycling severely hampers their advancement. Herein, we propose an effective strategy to enhance the cycling stability of vanadium oxides. Initially, the structural integrity of the host material is significantly reinforced by incorporating bi‐cations Na+ and NH4+ as "pillars" between the V2O5 layers (NaNVO). Subsequently, surface coating with polyaniline (PA) is employed to further improve the conductivity of the active material. As anticipated, the assembled Zn//NaNVO@PA cell exhibits a remarkable discharge capacity of 492 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and exceptional capacity retention up to 89.2 % after 1000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. Moreover, a series of in‐situ and ex‐situ characterization techniques were utilized to investigate both Zn ions insertion/extraction storage mechanism and the contribution of polyaniline protonation process towards enhancing capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic ADP-ribosylation signaling is a crucial pathway that controls fundamental cellular processes, in particular, the response to cellular stresses such as DNA damage, reactive oxygen species, and infection. In some pathogenic microbes, the response to oxidative stress is controlled by a SirTM/zinccontaining macrodomain (Zn-Macro) pair responsible for establishment and removal of the modification, respectively. Targeting this defence mechanism against the host's innate immune response may lead to novel approaches to support the fight against emerging antimicrobial resistance. Earlier studies suggested that Zn-Macros play a key role in the activation of this defence. Therefore, we used phylogenetic, biochemical, and structural approaches to elucidate the functional properties of these enzymes. Using the substrate mimetic asparagine-ADP-ribose as well as the ADP-ribose product, we characterize the catalytic role of the zinc ion in the removal of the ADPribosyl modification. Furthermore, we determined structural properties that contribute to substrate selectivity within the different Zn-Macro branches. Together, our data not only give new insights into the Zn-Macro family but also highlight their distinct features that may be exploited for the development of future therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring effective and controlled zinc ion transportation is crucial for functionality of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and overall performance in zinc‐based battery systems. Herein the first‐ever demonstration of incorporate cation‐π interactions are provided in the SEI to effectively facilitate uniform zinc ion flux. The artificial SEI design involves the immobilization of 4‐amino‐p‐terphenyl (TPA), a strong amphiphilic cation‐π interaction donor, as a monolayer onto a conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix, which enable the establishment of a robust network of cation‐π interactions. Through a carefully‐designed interfacial polymerization process, a high‐quality, large‐area, robust is achieved, thin polymeric TPA/PEDOT (TP) film for the use of artificial SEI. Consequently, this interphase exhibits exceptional cycling stability with low overpotential and enables high reversibility of Zn plating/stripping. Symmetrical cells with TP/Zn electrodes can be cycled for more than 3200 hours at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. And the asymmetric cells can cycle 3000 cycles stably with a high Coulomb efficiency of 99.78%. Also, under the extreme conditions of lean electrolyte and low N/P ratio, the battery with TP protective layer can still achieve ultra‐stable cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing treatments against Trypanosoma evansi are faced with several drawbacks, such as limited drug options, resistance, the relapse of infection, toxicity, etc., which emphasizes the necessity for new alternatives. We synthesized novel metal-based antiparasitic compounds using chitosan, hydroxychloroquine (HC), and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and characterized them for size, morphology, chemical interactions, etc. Molecular docking and protein interaction studies were performed in silico to investigate the inhibitory effects of HC, zinc-ligated hydroxychloroquine (HCZnONPs), and chitosan-zinc-ligated hydroxychloroquine (CsHCZnONPs) for two key proteins, i.e., heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and trypanothione reductase associated with T. evansi. In vitro trypanocidal activity and the uptake of zinc ions by T. evansi parasites were observed. The formulation was successfully synthesized, as indicated by its size, stability, morphology, elemental analysis, and functional groups. CsHCZnO nanoparticles strongly inhibit both Hsp90 and trypanothione reductase proteins. The inhibition of Hsp90 by these nanoparticles is even stronger than that of trypanothione reductase when compared to HC and HCZnONPs. This suggests that the presence of polymer chitosan enhances the nanoparticles' effectiveness against the parasite. For the first time, CsHCZnO nanoparticles exhibited trypanocidal activity against T. evansi, with complete growth inhibition being observed at various concentrations after 72 h of treatment. Fluorescent microscopy using FluoZin-3 on T. evansi culture confirmed the presence of zinc on the surface of parasites. This innovative approach has shown promising results in the quest to develop improved antiparasitic compounds against T. evansi with enhanced effectiveness and safety, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents against trypanosomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Citrus products often suffer from delayed bitterness, which is generated from the conversion of non‐bitter precursors (limonoate A‐ring lactone, LARL) to limonin under the catalysis of limonin D‐ring lactone hydrolase (LDLH). In this study, LDLH was isolated and purified from sweet orange seeds, and a rapid and accurate high‐performance liquid chromatography method to quantify LARL was developed and applied to analyze the activity and enzymatic properties of purified LDLH. RESULTS: Purified LDLH (25.22 U mg−1) showed bands of 245 kDa and 17.5 kDa molecular weights in native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate PAGE analysis respectively. After a 24 h incubation under strongly acidic (pH 3) or strongly alkaline (pH 9) conditions, LDLH still retained approximately 100% activity. Moreover, LDLH activity was not impaired by thermal treatment at 50 °C for 120 min. Enzyme inhibition assays showed that LDLH was inactivated only after ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid treatment, and other enzyme inhibitors showed no significant effect on its activity. In addition, the LDLH activity of calcium ion (Ca2+) intervention was 108% of that in the blank group, and that of zinc ion (Zn2+) intervention was 71%. CONCLUSION: LDLH purified in this study was a multimer containing 17.5 kDa monomer with a wide pH tolerance range (pH 3–9) and excellent thermal stability. Moreover, LDLH might be a metallopeptidase, and its activity was stimulated by Ca2+ and significantly inhibited by Zn2+. These findings improve our understanding of LDLH and provide some important implications for reducing the bitterness in citrus products in the future. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of flexible Zn‐ion batteries (FZIBs) significantly hinges on the development of gel electrolytes, characterized by their mechanical properties, ionic conductivity, and environmentally friendly production processes. The prevailing challenge in this domain has been devising a gel electrolyte that encapsulates all these critical attributes effectively for practical application. This study presents a novel zinc ion gel (Zn‐gel) electrolyte developed for FZIBs, synthesized via ethanol vapor‐induced assembly of cellulose molecules. This innovative process fosters significant hydrogen bonding and ion‐complexation with Zn2+ ions, resulting in a gel with exceptional mechanical strength (0.88 MPa), high ion transference (over 0.7), and impressive ionic conductivity (8.39 mS cm−1). The Zn‐gel enables a FZIB to achieve a reversible capacity of 207.3 mAh g−1 and over 93% Coulombic efficiency after 500 cycles, devoid of liquid electrolyte. Highlighting a promising route for high‐performance, eco‐friendly gel electrolytes, this research advances flexible electronics and portable device applications, demonstrating the profound potential of bio‐based polymers in enhancing energy storage technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of the title compound, [Zn(C4H6N2)6](NO3)2, is described. This complex consists of a central zinc metal ion surrounded by six 1-methylimidazole ligands, charge balanced by two nitrate anions. The complex crystallizes in the space group P3. In the crystal, the nitrate ions are situated within the cavities created by the [Zn(N-Melm)6] 2+ cations, serving as counter-ions. The three oxygen atoms of the nitrate ion engage in weak C—H...O interactions. In addition to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, the complex was characterized using elemental analysis, ¹ H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by excessive proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), in which inflammatory signaling caused by activation of the NF-κB pathway plays an important role. A20 is an important negative regulator of the NF-κB pathway, and zinc promotes the expression of A20 and exerts a protective effect against various diseases (e.g. COVID19) by inhibiting the inflammatory signaling. The role of A20 and intracellular zinc signaling in PH has been explored, but the extracellular zinc signaling is not well understood, and whether zinc has protective effects on PH is still elusive. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we studied the alteration of trace elements during the progression of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH and found that serum zinc concentration was decreased with the onset of PH accompanied by abnormalities of other three elements, including copper, chromium, and magnesium. Zinc chloride injection with the dosage of 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally partially corrected this abnormality and inhibited the progression of PH. Zinc supplementation induced the expression of A20 in lung tissue and reduce the inflammatory responses. In vitro , zinc supplementation time-dependently upregulated the expression of A20 in PASMCs, therefore correcting the excessive proliferation and migration of cells caused by hypoxia. Using genetically encoded-FRET based zinc probe, we found that these effects of zinc ions are not achieved by entering cells, but most likely by activating cell surface zinc receptor (ZnR/GPR39). These results provide the first evidence of the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in the treatment of PH. [Display omitted] • MCT-induced PH can be accompanied by abnormal metabolism of zinc, cobalt, copper and magnesium. • Zinc exerts a protective effect on MCT-induced PH rats by up-regulating A20 expression. • Zinc regulates the expression of A20 through the cell surface receptor GPR39. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effects of deposition potential and the surface preparation, such as the cathodic activation and the sandblasting on the nucleation and growth of zinc-nickel alloy from acidic aqueous solution containing 0.47 and 0.56 M of zinc ions and nicke ions l respectively in presence of additives were studied. The zinc-nickel were deposited on as-machined and sandblasted substrates not activated or activated at 0, 50 and 150 A dm−2. The Scharifker–Hills and Palomar-Pardavé models were used to analyse the potentiostatic current-transient curves, and revealed that the nucleation of zinc–nickel remains instantaneous with a typical three-dimensional growth process, no matter the surface preparation. However, the characteristics and the features of zinc–nickel alloys coatings are vastly modified, in particular the morphology and the crystal structure, although the crystallized phase (the cubic γ-phase) remains identical. However, the preferential growth varies according to the sandblast process and thus the roughness of the substrate, which implies different crystallite size and adhesion of the coating on the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The fabricated Ti 3 CN has enhanced physical and electronic properties and favorable zincophilic sites (N and F). • Ti 3 CN-protected Zn anode facilitate lateral growth of deposited zinc metal and rapid desolvation kinetics. • It presents a novel approach to designing protective layers for high-performance zinc anodes. Dendrite growth and side reactions of zinc metal anode have severely limited the practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, we introduce an artificial buffer layer composed of functional MXene (Ti 3 CN) for zinc anodes. The synthesized Ti 3 CN exhibits superior conductivity and features duplex zincophilic sites (N and F). These characteristics facilitate the homogeneous deposition of Zn2+, accelerate the desolvation process of hydrated Zn2+, and reduce the nucleation overpotential. The Ti 3 CN-protected Zn anode demonstrates significantly enhanced reversibility compared to bare Zn anode during long-term cycling, achieving a cumulative plating capacity of 10,000 mAh cm−2 at 10 mA cm−2. In Ti 3 CN-Zn||Cu asymmetric cell, it maintains nearly 100 % Coulombic efficiency over 2500 cycles at 2 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the assembled Ti 3 CN-Zn//δ-K 0.51 V 2 O 5 (KVO) full cell exhibit a low capacity decay rate of 0.002 % per cycle at 5 A/g. Even at 0 °C, the Ti 3 CN-Zn symmetric cell maintains steady cycling for 2000 h. This study introduces a novel approach for designing artificial solid electrolyte interlayers for commercial AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc‐ion hybrid capacitors (ZHC) have been considered as emerging sustainable electrochemical energy storage devices. They integrate the benefits of high‐energy density of aqueous zinc ion battery (ZIB) with high‐power density of supercapacitor (SC). Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely used to design electrode materials for portable devices, especially in some energy storage fields because of their large specific surface area and adjustable pore structures. In this work, we prepare porous Mn3O4/C nanosheets with Mn‐BDC as a precursor. The assembled device delivers a specific capacitance of 155.3 mAh g−1 at a current of 3 A g−1 and keeps a retention rate of 97.7 % after 10,000 cycles. Moreover, it provides an energy density of 464.5 Wh kg−l at a power density of 100 W kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of zinc aluminosilicate glasses with the composition (ZnO)x(Al2O3)y(SiO2)1−x−y, where 0 ≤ x < 1, 0 ≤ y < 1, and x + y < 1, was investigated over a wide composition range by combining neutron and high-energy x-ray diffraction with 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results were interpreted using an analytical model for the composition-dependent structure in which the zinc ions do not act as network formers. Four-coordinated aluminum atoms were found to be in the majority for all the investigated glasses, with five-coordinated aluminum atoms as the main minority species. Mean Al–O bond distances of 1.764(5) and 1.855(5) Å were obtained for the four- and five-coordinated aluminum atoms, respectively. The coordination environment of zinc was not observed to be invariant. Instead, it is dependent on whether zinc plays a predominantly network-modifying or charge-compensating role and, therefore, varies systematically with the glass composition. The Zn–O coordination number and bond distance were found to be 4.36(9) and 2.00(1) Å, respectively, for the network-modifying role vs 5.96(10) and 2.08(1) Å, respectively, for the charge-compensating role. The more open coordination environment of the charge-compensator is related to an enhanced probability of zinc finding bridging oxygen atoms as nearest-neighbors, reflecting a change in the connectivity of the glass network comprising four-coordinated silicon and aluminum atoms as the alumina content is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was demonstrated via experimental and simulation approaches that artificial protective layer guides uniform Zn plating beneath the coating layer without dendrite formation and it can lead to long-term stability of aqueous zinc ion battery. [Display omitted] • ZnS protective layer for extending the lifespan of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. • Simple coating method enables uniform and optimal thickness anode protective layer. • Validation the mechanism of Zn plating underneath ZnS layers through DFT calculations. • Sulfur atoms enable uniform Zn plating, preventing dendrite growth and side reactions. • Optimized ZnS layers result in AZIBs with long-term cycling stability. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are highly attractive as energy-storage systems owing to their inherent safety, low cost, and simple assembly processes. However, the growth of Zn dendrites and side reactions at the Zn metal anode significantly degrade their electrochemical performance. To address these challenges, this study introduces a surface modification that increases the lifespan and cycling stability of AZIBs by constructing an artificial zinc sulfide (ZnS) protective layer on the Zn anode. For the first time, the fundamental mechanism of uniform Zn plating underneath the ZnS protective layer is demonstrated through experiments and density functional theory simulations. In addition, the artificial ZnS protective layer of optimized thickness is formed using a simple, thickness-controllable coating method. Notably, the ZnS protective layer favors Zn atom adsorption while suppressing clustering, enabling uniform Zn deposition. In addition, defects within the thin ZnS coating modulate Zn2+ adsorption and diffusion, which facilitates Zn plating underneath the protective layer. This mechanism promotes uniform Zn nucleation and enhances the kinetics of Zn2+, preventing dendrite formation and side reactions and thereby improving the stability and electrochemical performance of the battery. The resulting Zn@ZnS||Zn@ZnS symmetric cell exhibits a cycle life of over 1600 h and excellent rate performance. Moreover, it maintains a high coulombic efficiency of 99.5 % and capacity retention of 80.1 % after 1500 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g−1, demonstrating exceptional long-term cycling stability. These insights into developing effective artificial protective layers that enable uniform nucleation will promote durable, dendrite-free Zn anodes for advanced AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Aqueous zinc-iodine batteries have garnered increasing attention due to their low cost and high safety. However, their practical application is impeded by sluggish iodine redox reaction kinetics and the "shuttle effect" of polyiodides, which result in poor rate performance and limited cycled life. Here, we developed N -doped porous carbon fiber derived from Prussian blue and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a self-supporting cathode material for zinc-iodine batteries. The material demonstrates a high iodine adsorption capacity in the electrolyte solution. Density Function Theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the prepared materials demonstrate good catalytic activity. Furthermore, the interconnected carbon fiber network, characterized by high conductivity and a large specific surface area, facilitates rapid electron transport and ion diffusion. Consequently, the zinc-iodine battery demonstrates outstanding rate performance (148mAh g−1 at a high current density of 10 A g−1) and a long cycling life of 50,000 cycles, with a capacity retention rate of 72.1 %. Additionally, the battery achieves an impressive calendar life of 8 months and 23 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A CuO/Cu 7 S 4 (CSO) heterostructured hollow nanospheres is proposed as an attractive conversion-type Zn-metal-free anode for "rocking-chair" ZIBs. The CSO/graphite self-supporting electrode delivers a high capacity of 271 mAh/g at current density of 0.1 A/g and a superior cyclic stability of 1200 cycles. We have constructed a self-powered pressure sensor integrated system using the "rocking-chair" zinc ion battery as the power source, demonstrating significant practicality. [Display omitted] Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted considerable attention for energy storage owing to their environmental friendliness and high safety. However, the adverse side reactions and unsatisfactory cycle life brought by Zn-metal anodes limit their large applications. Herein, CuO/Cu 7 S 4 (CSO) heterostructured hollow nanospheres is proposed as an attractive conversion-type Zn-metal-free anode for "rocking-chair" ZIBs. The CSO/graphite self-supporting electrode delivers a high capacity of 271 mAh/g at current density of 0.1 A/g and a superior cyclic stability of 1200 cycles. Based on the excellent electrochemical performance of CSO/graphite electrode, we have constructed a self-powered pressure sensor integrated system using the "rocking-chair" zinc ion battery as the power source, demonstrating significant practicality. This work provides a high-performance conversion type anode material for aqueous multivalent metal ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work confirms that the reasonable control of the d-band center of O d -MVO-0.5 cathode is the key to improve the conductivity, adsorption energy, reduce the migration energy barrier, and accelerate the rapid extraction and insertion of zinc ions. [Display omitted] Vanadium-based oxides have good application prospects in aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their structures suitable for zinc ion extraction and intercalation. However, their poor conductivity limits their further development. The d-band center plays a key role in promoting adsorption of ions, which promotes the development of electrode materials. Here, a series of MoV 2 O 8 compounds with oxygen defect (O d -MoV 2 O 8) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process and a subsequent vacuum calcination process through strict control of the deoxidation time. Theoretical calculations reveal that the abundant oxygen vacancies in MoV 2 O 8 effectively regulate the d-band center of the zinc ion adsorption site. This precise control of the d-band center enhances the zinc ion adsorption energy of MoV 2 O 8 , lowers the migration energy barrier for zinc ions, and ultimately significantly boosts zinc storage performance. The specific capacity is as high as 282.4 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 0.1 A/g, and it also shows excellent performance and outstanding cycle life. In addition, the maximum energy density of O d -MVO-0.5 (MoV 2 O 8 sample deoxidized for 0.5 h) is 343.3 Wh kg−1. Importantly, the mechanism of Zn2+ storage in O d -MoV 2 O 8 was revealed by the combination of in situ and ex situ characterization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrathin TiN x O y layer reduces corrosion and hydrogen evolution, while enhancing zincophilic sites and homogenizing the interfacial electric field. [Display omitted] The lifespan of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIB) has been hindered by the instability of zinc anodes, encountering challenges such as irregular dendritic growth, corrosion and hydrogen evolution reactions. In this study, we address these challenges by employing atomic-layer deposition (ALD) to create an ultrathin, conductive titanium oxynitride (TiN x O y) coating with abundant zincophilic sites. This atomic-scale coating serves as a bi-functional barrier that isolates the zinc metal from the electrolyte, thereby reducing spontaneous corrosion and mitigating hydrogen evolution. Additionally, the TiN x O y layer improves the distribution of the interfacial electric field and promotes uniform zinc plating and stripping. As a result, the TiN x O y -coated zinc anode demonstrates a significantly reduced over-potential and enhanced cycling stability, maintaining performance over 1300 h at 1 mA cm−2 in a symmetric cell. When coupled with a MnO 2 cathode, the full cell achieves a capacity of 85.3 mAh g−1 after 4500 cycles at a high current density of 10C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A supramolecular zwitterionic hydrogel based on polyacrylamide/carboxylated cellulose nanofibers/betaine citrate is constructed. The non-covalent interactions within the supramolecular zwitterionic hydrogels results in the formation of inter-crosslinked polymer networks. The strong coordination between betaine citrate with negative loading groups and zinc ions leads to rapid transfer of zinc ions by molecular slippage inside the polymer, which improved the transfer kinetics of zinc ions. Meanwhile, anchoring of various polar groups in the supramolecular zwitterionic hydrogel on the surface of the zinc anode provides active sites for the rapid and uniform deposition of zinc ions. [Display omitted] • Molecular slip mechanisms enhance the diffusion kinetics of Zn2+. • Zwitterionic coordination effect improves deposition kinetics. • Polar group anchoring effects protect zinc anodes. • Zn mental battery exhibits outstanding cycle performance. The severe hydrogen evolution reaction and parasitic side reaction on Zn anode are the key issues which hinder the development of aqueous Zn-based energy storage devices. Herein, a polyacrylamide/carboxylated cellulose nanofibers/betaine citrate supramolecular zwitterionic hydrogels with molecular slip effects are proposed for enhancing Zn2+ diffusion and protecting Zn anodes. Non-covalent interactions within supramolecular hydrogels forms the skeleton for molecular slip and the strong coordination of carboxyl and amino groups with Zn2+ further facilitates the rapid Zn2+ transfer. Additionally, anchoring carboxyl and amino groups at the anode promotes the uniform deposition of Zn2+and protects Zn anode. On the basis of molecular slip mechanism and anchoring effect in the supramolecular zwitterionic hydrogels, Zn||Zn symmetric batteries undergo 800 h of stable electroplating stripping at a depth of discharge of 80 %. Zn||Cu asymmetric batteries exhibit an impressive average coulombic efficiency of 99.4 % over a remarkable span of 900 cycles at a current density of 15 mA cm−2. Furthermore, Zn||NH 4 V 4 O 10 batteries successfully undergo over 1,000 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Intrinsic ion diffusion mechanism of supramolecular hydrogel electrolytes provides an original strategy for the application of high-performance Zn-based energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnCl 2 was used as a salt additive to the ZnSO 4 electrolyte, formed a 3D architecture of micro-sized hemispherical Sn particles inhibits the growth of Zn-dendrites. Besides, solid electrolyte interface (SEI) consists of ZnO and ZnS realize homogenous Zn-stripping/plating operation. [Display omitted] Aqueous Zn-metal batteries open up promising prospects for large-scale energy storage due to the advantages of ample components, cost-effectiveness, and safety features. However, the notorious dendritic development and unavoidable hydrogen evolution reaction of Zn have grown to be one of the main barriers inhibiting its further commercialization. Despite substantial studies, the mechanism of nucleation and deposition of Zn2+ ions on zinc layer surfaces remains elusive. Here, inspired by additive, the SnCl 2 additive is introduced to initiate the in-situ formation of the ZnS-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the Zn anode, which creates a protective "shielding effect" that hinders direct contact between water and the zinc surface, suppressing the random growth of Zn dendrites in the whole process. The mechanism of Zn nucleation was revealed by employing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, consecutive electron diffraction coupled with finite element method (FEM) simulations. Moreover, spontaneously formed 3D architecture consists of micorsized hemispherical Sn particles not only suppresses the Zn dendrite growth by reducing the local current density, but also enables the lateral growth of Zn crystals by increasing the average surface energy. Such an electrolyte enables a long cycle life of over 2000 h in the Zn||Zn cell. Importantly, the assembled Zn||MnVO full cells with SnCl 2 electrolyte also delivers substantial capacity (171.1mA h g−1 at 1 A h g−1), presenting a promising application. These discoveries not only deepen the comprehension of fundamental scientific knowledge regarding the microscopic reaction mechanism of the Zn anode but also offer significant insights for optimizing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We synthesized a series of zinc-philic covalent triazine frameworks as the artificial protective coatings for the interfacial modification of Zn metal anode. The fluorinated triazine framework increases the zinc-philic site and has strong hydrophobicity, which is conducive to better promoting dendritic free zinc deposition and inhibiting hydrogen evolution reactions, thus achieving high stable and reversible Zn anode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. [Display omitted] Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have become a research hotspot, but the inevitable zinc dendrites and parasitic reactions in the zinc anode seriously hinder their further development. In this study, three covalent triazine frameworks (DCPY-CTF, CTF-1 and FCTF) have been synthesized and used as artificial protective coatings, in which the fluorinated triazine framework (FCTF) increases the zinc-philic site, thus better promoting dendritic free zinc deposition and inhibiting hydrogen evolution reactions. Excitingly, both experimental results and theoretical calculations indicate that the FCTF interface adjusts the deposition of Zn2+ along the (0 0 2) plane, effectively alleviating the formation of zinc dendrites. As expected, Zn@FCTF symmetric cells exhibit cycling stability of over 4000 h (0.25 mA cm−2), meanwhile Zn@FCTF//NHVO full cells provide a high specific capacity of 280 mAh/g at 1.0 A/g, which are superior to those of bare Zn anode. This work provides new insights for suppressing hydrogen evolution and promoting dendrite-free zinc deposition to construct highly stable and reversible AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-cost small molecule nicotinamide serves as an electrolyte additive for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Only 1 wt% of nicotinamide enables Zn||Zn symmetric cells to have an ultra-long lifespan of over 9700h at 1 mA cm−2, expanding nearly 808 times compared to that without nicotinamide. This work is remarkable among state-of-the-art novel aqueous zinc-ion batteries. [Display omitted] Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have recently been paid great attention due to their robust safety features, high theoretical capacity, and eco-friendliness, yet their practical application is hindered by the serious dendrite formation and side reactions of Zn metal anode during cycling. Herein, a low-cost small molecule, nicotinamide (NIC), is proposed as an electrolyte additive to effectively regulate the Zn interface, achieving a highly reversible and stable zinc anode without dendrites. NIC molecules not only modify the Zn2+ solvation structure but also preferentially adsorb on the Zn surface than solvated H 2 O to protect the Zn anode and provide numerous nucleation sites for Zn2+ to homogenize Zn deposition. Consequently, the addition of 1 wt% NIC enables Zn||Zn symmetric cells an ultra-long lifespan of over 9700 h at 1 mA cm−2, which expands nearly 808 times compared to that without NIC. The advantages of NIC additives are further demonstrated in NaVO||Zn full cells, which exhibit exceptional capacity retention of 90.3 % after 1000 cycles with a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.9 % at 1 A/g, while the cell operates for only 42 cycles without NIC additive. This strategy presents a promising approach to solving the anode problem, fostering advancements in practical AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cu-doped Mn 3 O 4 material with superior capacity and cyclability were constructed by facile precipitation and post-calcination. • The influence and function of Cu dopant on the electrochemical performances and reaction mechanism of Mn 3 O 4 were elucidated. • Rapid H+/Zn2+ co-insertion combined with enhanced Mn4+ ↔ Mn2+ conversion reactions are induced by copper dopant in Mn 3 O 4. High working voltage, large theoretical capacity and cheapness render Mn 3 O 4 promising cathode candidate for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Unfortunately, poor electrochemical activity and bad structural stability lead to low capacity and unsatisfactory cycling performance. Herein, Mn 3 O 4 material was fabricated through a facile precipitation reaction and divalent copper ions were introduced into the crystal framework, and ultra-small Cu-doped Mn 3 O 4 nanocrystalline cathode materials with mixed valence states of Mn2+, Mn3+ and Mn4+ were obtained via post-calcination. The presence of Cu acts as structural stabilizer by partial substitution of Mn, as well as enhance the conductivity and reactivity of Mn 3 O 4. Significantly, based on electrochemical investigations and ex-situ XPS characterization, a synergistic effect between copper and manganese was revealed in the Cu-doped Mn 3 O 4 , in which divalent Cu2+ can catalyze the transformation of Mn3+ and Mn4+ to divalent Mn2+, accompanied by the translation of Cu2+ to Cu0 and Cu+. Benefitting from the above advantages, the Mn 3 O 4 cathode doped with moderate copper (abbreviated as CMO-2) delivers large discharge capacity of 352.9 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, which is significantly better than Mn 3 O 4 (only 247.8 mAh g−1). In addition, CMO-2 holds 203.3 mAh g−1 discharge capacity after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1 with 98.6 % retention, and after 1000 cycles at 5 A g−1, it still performs decent discharge capacity of 104.2 mAh g−1. This work provides new ideas and approaches for constructing manganese-based AZIBs with long lifespan and high capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of Zn metal anodes is currently hindered by uncontrolled dendritic growth and water‐induced parasitic reactions that are closely related to the solvation structure and interfacial transport kinetics of Zn2+. Herein, a facile interface self‐gelation strategy is proposed to stabilize Zn anode by introducing ‐OH‐rich silica aerogel (HSA) on Zn anode surface. The unique interconnected network structure and strong hydrophilia of HSA made the aqueous electrolyte near Zn anode gel rapidly and spontaneously, resulting in the formation of a water‐poor gel interface layer. The interface layer can effectively accelerate the desolvation process and reduce water molecule activity near anode surface through hydrogen bonding interaction, thus achieving rapid Zn migration kinetics and alleviating side reactions. In addition, the well‐defined aerogel nanochannels can provide a fast Zn2+ migration path and homogenize Zn2+ flux, enabling rapid and uniform Zn deposition. As a result, the HSA‐modified Zn (HSA@Zn) anode exhibits excellent long‐term cycling stability (over 6000 h at 4 mA cm−2), and the feasibility for practical application of this HSA@Zn anode is further demonstrate in full cells. The aerogel‐driven interface self‐gelation strategy propose in this work provides new insights into the design of advanced Zn anode for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted more and more attention owing to their high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Mn‐based materials are considered as one of the most promising cathode materials for AZIBs because of their high output voltage, eco‐friendliness, and abundance. However, the low electrochemical activity and the manganese dissolution of Mn3O4 lead to the low specific capacity and inferior cycling stability, hindering its practical applications. Herein, a facile and low‐cost strategy is designed that combines cationic vacancy modulation with Mn ion‐confinement effect in a synergistic action to boost zinc ion energy storage capability of inert Mn3O4 (designated as VMn‐Mn3O4@C). The cationic vacancy endows Mn3O4 with more active sites, resulting in an increased specific capacity. Meanwhile, the manganese dissolution is inhibited via the Mn ion‐confinement effect of the carbon framework, thereby improving the cycling stability of the cathode. Consequently, the developed Zn/VMn‐Mn3O4@C batteries deliver a high specific capacity of 280.9 mAh g−1 and 98.4% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1. More importantly, VMn‐Mn3O4@C cathodes maintain superior cycling stability of 5000 cycles with nearly 100% capacity retention at 1 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) is seriously challenged by the poor stability of Zn anode and cathode in aqueous solution, which is closely associated with electrolyte structure and water reactivity. Herein, the stability issues both for the cathode and anode can be simultaneously addressed via tuning the electrolyte solvation structure in hybrid electrolyte with tripropyl phosphate (TPP) as co‐solvent. On the Zn anode, a robust poly‐inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer comprised of Zn3(PO4)2‐ZnS‐ZnF2 species is in situ formed, effectively suppressing parasitic reaction and dendrite evolution. For V2O5 cathode, the notorious vanadium dissolution is effectively restricted with improved structure stability achieved. The optimized electrolyte facilitates the reversible redox kinetics both at the cathode and Zn anode. Consequently, Zn||Zn cells display extended cycling lifespans over 3000 h at 1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2. Zn||V2O5 full cells deliver a high reversible capacity of 261.8 mAh g−1 and hold retention of 73.6% upon 500 cycles even operated in harsh conditions with thin Zn anode (10 µm) and low negative/positive (N/P) ratio of ≈4.3, which also showcase impressive performance with regard to rate and storage performance, further emphasizing the potential of electrolyte regulation tactics in advancing the commercialization of ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors, distinguished by their high power density, rapid charge‐discharge rates, and prolonged cycle life, hold significant promise in various technological applications. However, limited lower energy density still hinder their practical application. Enhancing intrinsic conductivity by smart choice of elemental combination along with design of nanostructures has the potential to significantly improve the electrochemical performance. Herein, a self‐template method was used for the synthesis of Zn‐doped hydrolyzed NiCo‐glycerate nanosphere (ZnNiCo−G−H) electrode material, assembled with a large number of nanosheets by simple hydrothermal reaction, which can provide abundant active sites and thus achieve superior electrochemical performance. The optimized electrode material displayed a specific capacitance of 1145 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. The fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor, composed of ZnNiCo−G−H and activated carbon as two electrodes, delivered excellent cycling performance with a capacitance retention of 93.8 % after 5000 cycles at the current density of 5 A g−1 and a high energy density of 40 Wh kg−1 at 825 W kg−1, offering great potential as a qualified candidate for the electrochemical energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of hybrid aqueous electrolytes has significantly broadened the electrochemical and temperature ranges of aqueous batteries, such as aqueous zinc and lithium‐ion batteries, but the design principles for extreme operating conditions remain poorly understood. Here, we systematically unveil the ternary interaction involving salt‐water‐organic co‐solvents and its intricate impacts on both the atomic‐level and macroscopic structural features of the hybrid electrolytes. This highlights a distinct category of micelle‐like structure electrolytes featuring organic‐enriched phases and nanosized aqueous electrolyte aggregates, enabled by appropriate low donor number co‐solvents and amphiphilic anions. Remarkably, the electrolyte enables exceptional high solubility, accommodating up to 29.8 m zinc triflate within aqueous micelles. This configuration maintains an intra‐micellar salt‐in‐water setup, allowing for a broad electrochemical window (up to 3.86 V), low viscosity, and state‐of‐the‐art ultralow‐temperature zinc ion conductivity (1.58 mS cm−1 at −80 °C). Building upon the unique nature of the inhomogeneous localized aggregates, this micelle‐like electrolyte facilitates dendrite‐free Zn plating/stripping, even at −80 °C. The assembled Zn||PANI battery showcases an impressive capacity of 71.8 mAh g−1 and an extended lifespan of over 3000 cycles at −80 °C. This study opens up a promising approach in electrolyte design that transcends conventional local atomic solvation structures, broadening the water‐in‐salt electrolyte concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promising energy storage devices, zinc ion batteries (ZIBs), face challenges such as dendritic growth and side reactions, which hinder their application and development. As a polar group, hydroxyl groups can utilize hydrogen bonding to stably anchor water molecules, preventing contact between water and the anode. Moreover, they can attract and guide Zn2+ to rapidly and uniformly deposit on the anode. Here, the introduction of multi‐hydroxyl water‐locking additive Lactobionic acid (LA) molecules is proposed into conventional electrolytes. Through an in situ reaction between the highly reactive carboxyl groups on LA molecules and the zinc anode, a stable multi‐hydroxyl protective layer is formed on the anode surface, effectively preventing interface corrosion and dendritic growth. As a result, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell with LA exhibits remarkable performance, cycling for 2300 h under 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. Even under more rigorous conditions of 10 mA cm−2 and 10 mAh cm−2, it maintains over 800 h of cycling durability. Moreover, in the Zn||NH4V4O10 full cell configuration, an impressive capacity retention rate of 80.35% after 2000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. This innovative method can open a new avenue for designing high‐performance ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]